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SOLIDAR Silver Rose Award Winners 2013

Come and meet our extraordinary winners…

Mamadú Sissé from Islamic Community of Tapada das Mercês and Mem Martins

This community association does extraordinary work to integrate
Islamic people coming mainly from Western Africa into the territory
of Tapada das Mercês in Portugal. It supports over 400 families by
carrying out social and cultural activities such as after school
activities for children, Portuguese lessons and trainings to
develop personal, professional and social competences.
acitm.wordpress.com

Migrants Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) works for justice,
empowerment and equality for migrants and their families
in Ireland. Mohammad Younis, a Pakistani national, became
an MRCI migrant leader after experiencing exploitation
in the workplace. Despite the risks he faced in speaking
out as an undocumented worker, Mohammad Younis courageously
campaigns to ensure justice and rights for all migrant
workers in Ireland. mrci.ie

U Maung Maung from Federation of Trade Unions-Myanmar

For over 20 years, Maung Maung has played an essential
role in the survival – and now growth – of the trade union
movement in Myanmar. In 2012, Maung Maung was in direct
negotiations with the government which paved the return
of the Federation of Trade Unions-Myanmar
(FTUM) to Myanmar (from exile in Thailand).
Now, there are laws in place providing a
legal framework for trade union activity in Myanmar.

The Center for Human Rights Legal Action (CALDH) has
been a driving force in working for justice to be done
and the truth to come out regarding the terrible abuses
that the Guatemalan people faced during the internal
armed conflict. Starting in 1960, it lasted 36 years
and caused more than 200,000 deaths and disappearances
of civilians according to the UN. Notably, CALDH has
supported the Ixil communities in pressing charges
against former General Efrain Rios Montt (in power
from 1982-83) for genocide and crimes against humanity. caldh.org

Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett

Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett are advocating
to reduce income inequality in order to improve
the quality of life. Through analysis and dissemination
of the latest research and robust evidence-based arguments
(notably with the book “The Spirit Level”) associating
various issues such as health issues, crime and teenage
problems with social justice, they conclude that the less
the differences between poor and rich, the greater the
benefits for the entire society. equalitytrust.org.uk

Register your attendance
If you have not done so yet, register your attendance
at this year’s Silver Rose Awards ceremony taking place
in the European Parliament (room ASP 3G3) on 16 October
from 6.30-8pm, followed by a reception.

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Federation of Trade Unions - Myanmar

Warm Greetings from the FTUM,
Since the founding of the FTUM we have worked to restore democracy, human rights, social
justice and trade-unionism for Burma and the people of Burma.
The FTUB is implementing through three dynamic aspects..
Inside Burma
• Re-building trade union through encouragement and empowerment
• Combating Forced Labour, Child labour abuses
• Collect and report Freedom Of Association (FOA) violations
• Educates an extensive training and development program for unions
• Document and Research on labour and economy
Along the border
• Raising awareness on trade unionism within the ethnic communities along the border
areas of Burma.
International
• Presenting the conditions of the working people at the international organizations ie;
ITUC, ETUC and at the International Labour Organization(ILO)
• Builds links with other international trade union bodies
• Campaign on economic and social issues that will benefit the people of Burma
We are confident that through the consistent work of the trade union members inside Burma,
the work of the labor activists of Burma, the Federation of Trade Unions Kawthoolei, the
Rakhaing General Workers Union, the Federation of Trade Unions Chin, the Naga Labor
Union we will achieve Freedom of Association and recongition of workers rights in Burma.
We hope this blog will also help show how the ILO mechanism works, how much the
members of the ILO and the ILO office itself has helped in raising awareness of workers
rights denials in Burma.

Maung Maung
General Secretary
Federation of Trade Unions-Burma

**********************************

Brief history of Trade Unions in Burma
Pre- Second World War
On 31 Jan 1940 All Burma Trade Union Congress (ABTUC) was founded by Thakhin Lay
Maung and Thakhin Ba Tin.
In March, 1941 All Burma Trade Union Congress (ABTUC) was re-founded again by
Thakhin Ba Hein and Thakhin Ba Tin.
During Second War (1941-1945)
1941 to 1945, Burma was occupied by the fascist Japan; as a result, Unionization and
development of trade union in Burma was so weak and banned by Japanese fascist.
After Second World War
24 May 1945
ABTUC was reformed by Thakhin Kyaw Sein and Thakhin Hla Kywe.
4 Jan 1948
Burma gained indepedence from Great Briton after hundrea years of colonialism.
1949
The Trade Unions Congress of Burma (TUCB) was initially formed with assistance of the
Anti-Fascist Peoples’ Freedom League (AFPFL) and led by U Ba Swe and U Than Tun.
1950
The Burma Trade Union Congress (BTUC) was formed by Thakhin Hla Kywe and Thakhin
Thwin.
1958
The Union of Labor Organization (ULO) was formed by U Thwin and U Raschid.
1958-60
Caretaker government, led by army Chief of Staff General Ne Win, formed following a split
in the ruling AFPFL party.
1962-1988
Since 1962 March, 2 , a day of military coup, led by General Ne Win, all civil society
organizations, including student unions, workers unions and independent journalist were
abolished. Unionization and Trade Unionism was weak during the Gen. Ne Win' Burmese
Socialist Program Party (BSPP), a totalitarian regime of Burma.
1988
Student initiated people power erupted, civil society was reactive. Knowing that the students
were saying what their parents were suffering under Gen. Ne Win' mismanagement, the
workers came out in their support. During the 1988 people power uprising, the trade unions
were formed in all the economic sectors, including the military and the police.
The All Burma Labour Union (ABLU) was formed at the Htan Ta Bin High School, Heldan
Township, and Rangoon in September, 1988. The Trade Unions took up demonstration and
stopped work in accordance with the call of the student union.
18 Sep 1988
Military junta coup again and led by Gen. Saw Maung et all. All unions were banned and the
leaders forced to either resign or be arrested.
1991 - Present Day
The Federation of Trade Unions-Myanmar (FTUM) was formed in 1991, by exiled workers andstudents who had participated in the 8 August 1988 people’s uprising.

Dan Gallin IUF general Secretary and FTUB 1992 - 2012

With Global Council of Unions

ILO

ILO, MITU, ITUC and FTUB/M (2012, Dec)

Trade Unions Co-ordination Meeting

There was a coordination meeting of basic labour organizations, labour activists and legal experts at Myanmar Peace Center. Basic labour organization from different sectors such as industrial, agriculture, education and transport sector (altogether 31 unions Yangon Region, 6 unions from the Mandalay Region, 4 from the transport sector, 8 unions from the higher education) were involved in the meeting. It is coordination prior to a meeting to be hosted by the President, U Thein Sein with the workers and to come up specific points will be presented to the President. Issues on Labour related laws such as amendments of laws and implementing enforcement mechanism with punishment that will be preventive measure, issues on workplace disputes, working conditions and issues on migrant labour were discussed by the participants.

MITU and AFFM 's May Day

2013 Jan 20 Japanese MPs with FTUB family

Daw Aung San Su Kyi

I understand that the investors invest because they hope to profit from the ventures. Well, we agreed with that but we also hope to benefit from the investments ventures. Our country must benefit as much as those who have come in to invest that. So, please think deeply for us. I have been listening to many speakers in the forum. I was particularly struck by one comment, very simple comment that we have to look to the questions of corruption and inequality. I absolutely agreed with that. We have to try to eradicate corruption and inequality as we proceed to what greater investments. We do not want more investment to mean more possibilities of corruption. We do not want investment to mean greater inequality. We do not want corruption to mean greater privileges already privileged. We want investment to mean quite simply jobs as many jobs of possible. It is as simple as that. Job creation is extremely important in Burma and together with job creation must go training. The kind of training that will enable our unemployed young to take up jobs. Vocational Training, we need vocational training and non-formal education.

The World Economic ForumMay 30, June 1, 2012.

Bangkok, Thailand.

IUF, CISL, JILAF, ACILS and AFFM members Ygn, BGO and AYEYARWADDY

2012 Oct 7th World day for decent work

2012 Sep 7 UMM and UMFCCI

Changes in Myanmar – the Minister’s perspective

Myanmar's Union Minister at the Ministry of Labour, Aung Kyi, gives his thoughts on the way his country's reform process has moved so far, how the relationship with the ILO has evolved, and what the next steps might be.
Our government sent the office one year ago. It has been undertaking a series of reforms such as National Reconciliation with all political parties, prevalence of peace with most of the armed ethnic groups, also for us, the multi-party democratic system and also we have enhancing the international co-operations, also holding the free and fair by-elections and so on.. So our intention, it may be called, we stretched on the continuation of these reformations to the remote areas to every villages, and every persons, ensuring that we would improve our health and education, as well as social issues according to our people-centre strategy adopted by our government last month.
Key next step may be the improvement in socio-economy status of our country and the development of human resources. ILO's cooperation with our government could establish decent working conditions in Myanmar. That is improving, the working, and living conditions of our workers as well as the competitiveness.
Our cooperation with ILO is very fine now. Much different from the past one or two decades when we neglected each other at that time but since 2002, we have more communication between ILO and Myanmar which developed to connection on 2007. After signing the supplementary understanding, and then when we are building those connections to become trust, the governing body chairman Ms.Juan Somovia, GB members, visit to our country. That is a feature that trusts because trust, so nowadays, the relations between ILO and Myanmar is prevailing everywhere.
Everybody should recognize that we have already changed ourselves and I would like to ask any organization to see from the different perspectives, from the past.
Thank you..